They’ve been homeless and they’ve had to front the money for two consecutive seasons, but the close-knit crew that runs Fullerton’s 3-D Theatricals is still marching their band and beating their drum. The company’s production of “Funny Girl,” which opens Friday, will mark its 18th show.

Led by producer/artistic director T.J. Dawson, 3-D Theatricals has endured ups and downs from the beginning. Its members have maintained a “glass half full” philosophy, but the challenges have been huge. “Starting in the tumultuous times that we did (3-D was formed in 2009), it was unusual for a theater company of this size to (be founded by) such young people,” Dawson said. “How do you cultivate a new audience and get young people to come back to the theater? That’s been our mantra.”

Co-producer Gretchen Dawson is proud of the work that she and her two brothers, T.J. and Daniel, have achieved and the growth they’ve seen. “We opened very fast and very big (saying), ‘Hey, we’re here and this is what we can do,’ and I believe that is how we’ve gained a lot of people’s interest,” she said. “We are all actors ourselves so we strive to make the whole experience an unforgettable one.”

Daniel Dawson, who still also has a busy acting career outside of 3-D Theatricals, knows this is what has helped them. “It blows my mind to think that we only started this business about four years ago,” Daniel Dawson said. “My brother, sister, and I all come from a performing background so we definitely had a leg up on doing musicals (in the beginning.)”

What started as a private family business is now a successful nonprofit operating on multiple stages, and the family has big plans that include a youth program. “Now that the company has grown to Fullerton and Redondo there is only one way to make it continue as Broadway-quality, which is to get sponsors and donors,” Gretchen Dawson said. “We also have this dream of being a national touring company.”

Daniel Dawson explains further: “Our goal for the future is to not just show people what they want to see, but also show them what they didn’t know they wanted to see.”

Despite those ambitions, it’s still a family affair at 3-D Theatricals. The Dawsons have used their closeness and youth to their advantage. T.J. Dawson’s wife Jeanette has joined the team as a co-producer. “We have different strengths and weaknesses, we kick the ball around and continue to come up with ideas,” he said.

The company mounted its first show in Santa Ana’s OC Pavilion in Santa Ana in 2009, but things changed quickly. 3-D lost its original venue in the spring of 2010 and took over the season and subscriber list of ailing Fullerton Civic Light Opera in 2011. “For two seasons in a row it was an investment, but we’re closing the gap,” T.J. said. “It was literally in the eleventh hour that we (took over FCLO) and we were shot out of a cannon and are just now starting to feel our feet hit the floor.”

3-D found rehearsal space thanks to the McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts in Yorba Linda, and a venue and built-in theater-goers at Plummer Auditorium, which T.J. said was met with mixed feelings: “It was something that was sad – you never want to see a theater (company) close – but it was a blessing. We could assume (FCLO’s) subscriber base ... and luckily we were embraced by the patrons and city.”

A huge gamble, but it’s paying off

The Dawsons’ risks are beginning to pay off. 3-D’s season at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center will expand next year to two weekends for each show. “Our opening night there was incredible,” T.J. recalled with a smile. “Redondo Beach had been without a theater company for a few years so they were thirsty for it.”

And it’s thanks to audiences and mentors that 3-D Theatricals is thriving. “Our audiences for ‘Shrek’ were record-breaking. People seem to be excited about us,” T.J. Dawson said. The support from colleagues has made his heart full, he added. “The entire team at McCoy Rigby (Conservatory of the Arts) have been so nurturing and so wonderful. They naturally could have viewed us as competition but they did nothing but open their arms.”

Daniel Dawson agrees. “We’ve had such amazing support from McCoy Rigby and Musical Theatre West, without their knowledge and countless years of experience it would have taken much longer to get to where we are now.”

The company feels bullish enough about the future to buy real estate. “We just closed escrow on a building,” T.J. said. “It will be a rehearsal facility, storage for sets and an office, just off the 91 and 5 freeways. We’ll still have performances at Plummer and Redondo but we’ll be under one roof and maybe be able to have a youth program and events and fundraisers.”

With this step, T.J. Dawson hopes people finally won’t dismiss that 3-D Theatricals as the product of a trust fund. “We’re not these Orange County ‘kept’ children. I directed at STAGES, La Habra Depot, everywhere I could, and I found that theaters on every level use the same people over and over again.” This realization made him want to do more for the industry. “I wanted to create an environment where we were using established names but also cultivating new talent. I needed to take matters into my own hands and it just happened that my dad was looking to invest at the time. We weren’t in it for the glory; it was about being able to give jobs and do what we love.”

Gretchen Dawson echoed this sentiment, “As a nonprofit organization we’re going to strive to better the communities with outreach programs as well as provide jobs.”

“Their success helps us all,” says Oanh Nguyen, artistic director of the Chance Theater in Anaheim Hills. “It’s fantastic to feel the energy and enthusiasm that emanates from T.J., Gretchen (and others). They’re a professional company, paying their artists and doing solid work.”

T.J. Dawson couldn’t be happier with the recognition and growth they’ve seen, and he adores his job. “You’re never in a better environment than when you’re with a group of people doing what they love to do.”

The cast of "Funny Girl" rehearses for upcoming September production of the musical at 3D Theatricals in Fullerton. DANIEL DAWSON
The 3D Theatricals "Funny Girl" cast in rehearsal. Led by producer/artistic director T.J. Dawson, 3-D Theatricals has endured ups and downs from the beginning. Its members have maintained a “glass half full” philosophy, but the challenges have been huge. DANIEL DAWSON
The 3D Theatricals "Funny Girl" cast in rehearsal. What started as a private family business is now a successful nonprofit operating on multiple stages, and the family has big plans that include a youth program. DANIEL DAWSON
A scene from 3D Theatricals' recent production of "Shrek." T.J. Dawson plays Shrek. 3D THEATRICALS
A scene from 3D Theatricals' production of "Avenue Q." ISAAC JAMES CREATIVE

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